+++ Spy photographers spotted a couple of facelifted BMW X5 prototypes. Recently snapped on the streets of Munich, the SUV appears to be getting a minor refreshening that focuses on the front and rear ends. While the camouflage hides a number of details, the 2023 modelyear X5 will adopt slimmer headlights and a new front bumper. The latter will get vertical air curtains as well as a revised central intake with angular bars. The grille will also be slightly different. At the opposite end, the changes are more modest as the only difference appears to be updated taillights. They have a 3 dimensional design with a recessed center section. Inside, we can count on a minimalist shifter, updated switchgear, and iX inspired displays. The digital instrument cluster presumably measures 12.3 inches, while the infotainment system is expected to have a 14.9 inch display. It remains unclear if there will be any powertrain changes for the mainstream variants, but BMW has already confirmed plans for a hydrogen-powered model that will be built in limited numbers for demonstration and testing purposes. Dubbed the iX5 Hydrogen, the SUV will feature 2 carbon fiber reinforced hydrogen storage tanks as well as an electric motor that develops 374 hp. The facelifted BMW X5 is expected to be introduced late this year, so we can expect to learn more in the coming months. +++
+++ CHINA is set to slash subsidies offered for new energy vehicles across the country. The Finance Ministry has revealed that subsidies will be cut by 30 percent throughout 2022 before being withdrawn altogether at the end of the year. This comes after the ministry confirmed in April 2020 that NEV subsidies would be gradually cut from 2020 to 2022 by 10 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent respectively. Subsidies for new energy vehicles used for public transport will also be cut by 20 percent this year. China’s subsidies for electric and hybrid vehicles have helped to improve sales of alternatively-powered vehicles throughout the country. The government has set a target for NEVs to make up 20 percent of auto sales by 2025. Among China’s most important companies in the NEV space is Nio. It has informed buyers of the ES8, ES6 and EC6 that if they had paid a deposit on or before December 31, 2021, and are taking delivery before March 31, 2022, they can still receive the benefits at their 2021 rates. The automaker added that it will bear the cost of any shortfall triggered by the 2022 policy. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers estimates that sales of NEVs in China would have grown by 47 percent to 5 million throughout 2021. +++
+++ Officials in FRANCE passed a law requiring automobile ads to be followed by a message encouraging consumers to consider walking, cycling, carpooling, or using public transit instead. Starting in March, automotive ads on the radio, television, before movies, the internet, in print, and elsewhere will have to feature one of the following messages: “for short journeys, choose walking or cycling”, “Think about carpooling”, or “for commuting, take public transit”. All ads (except for those on the radio) will also have to be followed by a mention of the hashtag “#SeDéplacerMoinsPolluer”, which roughly translates to “moving without polluting”. Broadcasters and publishers who fail to post these messages are subject to penalties worth up to €50.000. Starting in 2028, automakers won’t be allowed to advertise vehicles that consume more than 123 grams of CO2 per km ahead of the outright ban of internal combustion engines in 2035. Though the new rules may sound strict, they are considerably more lenient than those proposed by a climate group, that lobbied to prevent automakers from advertising vehicles that consume more than 4 l/100 km or emit more than 95 grams of CO2 per km. Automakers were quick to say they would conform to the letter of the law but were critical of the measure. Lionel French Keogh, CEO of Hyundai’s French division, argued that since the new law doesn’t distinguish between electric and internal combustion vehicles, it could be seen as counterproductive. The requirements on advertising follow in the footsteps of laws that have required food manufacturers to publish dietary information about products being sold and to suggest healthier alternatives. +++
+++ LEXUS feels it has to spell it out for you and, across the back of its cars at least, will make the switch from its longtime L badge, replacing it with its full name. Brian Bolain, Lexus’ global head of marketing, recently told that the trend previewed with the new NX will eventually be a brand-wide design choice. “We need some way to signify that change is coming to Lexus, and this may seem like a dumb way, but it catches your eye”, Bolain told. The trend is part of a larger industry move towards bold lettering, rather than symbolic badging. Lexus will join Range Rovers and a number of others in choosing to spell its name out over the rear of its vehicles. Additionally, Lexus is looking to up its infotainment game. Along with Toyota, it has invested millions in a new touch-sensitive infotainment system that’s easier to use and connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The company is so excited about the new system that it might not even wait until it’s time for a mid-cycle refresh to add the system to a given model. “There’s a very quick window, something like 30 months or so, but we’re not waiting for major changes”, Bolain said. “We’re doing it fast”. The new infotainment was first shown on the Lexus NX and it will soon be found in the LX. It will be offered with 2 screen sizes. The first will be an 8 inch option while a 14 inch screen will be offered on higher-trim models. With more processing power, the system will be faster and more responsive and will also allow Lexus to implement over-the-air updates. Finally, the Lexus brand will start to become more differentiated by region. “One of our real pushes is the need to have more diversity of products and have more respect for the fact that some markets need some things that other markets don’t”, said Bolain. “As we move forward, there will be opportunities for us to satisfy North America, Europe, Asia independently as we spread our wings”. +++
+++ Global passenger PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CAR sales not only continue to increase quickly but reached a new all-time record in November. According to EV-Volumes data, over 721.456 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered during the month, which is 72 % more than a year ago and a new monthly high. The previous record was set in September 2021: over 685,000. The market share increased to 11.5 % (a new record) and the majority (72 %) were battery electric vehicles. 518.000 battery-electric cars sold is a new monthly record (8.1 % share). PHEVs sold about 203.000 (3.4 % share). Plug-ins are now leaving non-rechargeable hybrids in the dust, as 632.000 hybrids were registered in November. The growth of hybrid car sales is also slowing down from a year-to-date average of 53 % year-over-year to just 10% in September, 10 % in October and 14 % in November. Nonetheless, the overall xEV (BEVs, PHEVs, HEVs) sales are up, and in November represented 22 % of the market. Sales are expected to further expand, reaching new all-time highs in the final month of the year. In the first 11 months 0f 2021, passenger plug-in electric car sales exceeded 5.57 million (compared to 3.1 million in the entire 2020), while the market share increased to 8.1 %. It’s expected that in whole 2021, plug-in car sales will exceed 6 million. It might even get close to 6.5 million. In November, the best-selling model happened to be the Tesla Model Y (44.738, best off-peak month), which was followed by the Wuling’s Hong Guang Mini EV (40.395) and the Tesla Model 3 (38.616). Then, we can see 2 plug-in hybrids: the BYD Qin Plus PHEV (18.054) and the BYD Song Pro/Plus PHEV (15.100), which together with the all-electric version would be way higher (around 30.000 and 20.000 respectively). Year-to-date, the top plug-ins are Tesla Model 3, Wuling’s Hong Guang Mini EV, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4 and BYD Qin Plus PHEV. There are 6 Chinese plug-in models in the top 10 year-to-date, and 11 in the top 20. In November, BYD once again was the top brand with over 90.000 sales. That’s a bit more than Tesla’s 88.131. It will be interesting to see the result for December. The third best result was posted by the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture (45.452), but the Volkswagen brand was not far behind with 40,987 units. Next came SAIC (23.737), Mercedes-Benz (23.556), Volvo (20.139), Audi (15.219) and Kia (17.628). Among the manufacturers of plugin electric cars, so far this year Tesla is #1 with 13.7% share, followed by Volkswagen Group (11.8%) and SAIC (10.8%). BYD is at 9.0%, while Stellantis is at 5.8%. +++
+++ ROLLS-ROYCE Rolls-Royce is getting ready for its first fully electric production model (the Spectre) but that doesn’t mean it won’t be updating the rest of the range, including the Phantom flagship which has just made its spy debut. All the body panels remain virtually unchanged, besides the grille and the headlights that will feature new graphics. We shouldn’t rule out design changes in the bumpers. Likewise, the rear end retains identical styling although the exhaust pipe covers could change. The facelifted model is expected to carry over the twin-turbo 6.75-liter V12 which currently produces 571 hp and 900 Nm in the flagship. The unit could have minor updates in order to comply with emission regulations and keep it alive for more years until the forthcoming ICE-ban in many markets. The current Phantom debuted in 2017 introducing the “Architecture of Luxury” all-aluminum spaceframe architecture which is also underpinning the Cullinan and the Ghost, and will soon be used by the complete Rolls-Royce portfolio. The platform has been developed with electrification in mind and it can support BEVs as noted in the announcement of the upcoming Spectre. This means that the new Phantom could also boast an electric variant in the future, although this would definitely arrive after 2024. The mildly updated Rolls-Royce Phantom is expected to arrive this year as a 2023 model, marking 4 years after the introduction of the new generation. Like every Rolls-Royce, it will feature countless personalization options and boast many different bespoke editions designed to satisfy the taste of each owner. We could also see a “Black Badge” variant since those are becoming increasingly popular. +++
+++ Major German automotive union IG Metall is eager to represent workers at TESLA ’s new factory near Berlin and claimed that employees at the site are being paid significantly less than those working for German carmakers. The union has opened an office near the Tesla factory and speaking with the German Press Agency, the district leader for the union in Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony, Birgit Dietze, said the union is available to answer questions about pay, working hours, and employment contracts. Job applicants at the Tesla site have reportedly told IG Metall that the car manufacturer is offering pay 20 percent below the collectively bargained wages paid by German automakers. The electric vehicle manufacturer is also offering employees packages with stock options and bonuses rather than traditional holiday pay. The factory is expected to eventually house 12.000 employees building 500.000 vehicles annually. Approximately 1.800 workers had been hired by Christmas, with Dietze adding that the first stage of production will probably start with about 6.000 employees. Tesla has been opposed to unions in the past and fought against plans from the United Auto Workers to unionize the Fremont factory in California. A union at the Berlin plant has yet to be officially formed but IG Metall is eager to make it happen. “In terms of transformation, it is necessary to take the employees with us”, Dietze said. “We are not the dinosaurs of the industrial age but are looking forward in a progressive way. We are actively intervening in the issues of shaping industrial policy”. Dietze added that the union isn’t opposed to Tesla paying stock options. “On top of a secured collective bargaining standard like that of the metal and electrical industry, we would have no objection”, she said. “But what generally does not work in our members’ estimation is that parts of the remuneration are so thoroughly flexible that the employee does not know exactly what is coming out for them at the end of the month or the year”. +++
+++ The TESLA MODEL 3 is set to be the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe for 2021, easily outpacing its rivals. Data from JATO Dynamics reveals that a total of 113.397 Model 3s had been sold through the end of November in Europe this year. This represents an 84 percent jumped over last year and places the Model 3 ahead of the Volkswagen ID.3, of which 63.109 examples were sold in the first 11 months of the year; a 125 percent increase over 2020. The Model 3 has proven to be so popular in Europe this year that in September, it was actually the bestselling car overall in the Old Continent. Interestingly, Model 3 sales could be overtaken by those of the Model Y which managed to outsell both the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 in November. Tesla will likely finish the year with an overall market share of 2 percent in Western Europe, more than double its 2020 share of 0.9 per cent and placing it above Jaguar Land Rover. The author of the European Electric Car Report, Matthias Schmidt, indicated that the share of EV sales in Western Europe will reach 11 percent this year, due in part to the semiconductor shortage. Schmidt added that Tesla will likely end the year with 170.000 total sales in the continent. Europe’s most prolific EV carmaker for 2021 will be the Volkswagen Group with it tipped to have made around 300.000 EV sales in Europe this year through the VW, Audi, Skoda, Porsche and Cupra brands. Stellantis is expected to take home third while Renault-Nissan is set to be fourth. The Dacia Spring is proving to be particularly popular for the Alliance, outselling the Model Y in November. +++
+++ VOLVO boss Håkan Samuelsson will step down from his role in March after nearly a decade, to be replaced by ex-Dyson Group CEO Jim Rowan. Samuelsson has been president and CEO of Volvo Cars since October 2012, having previously served for two years on the company board and before that as chairman and CEO of the now defunct commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN. Samuelsson’s contract comes to an end in 2022, and Volvo said his successor has been selected after “a thorough and diligent search process to secure the continued strong leadership of Volvo Cars with a CEO who has a strong background in software, digital transformation and innovative consumer products”. When Rowan takes over on the 21st of March, Samuelsson will leave Volvo’s board of management but continue to serve as chairperson of EV performance brand Polestar as it prepares to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange later this year. He has yet to comment on any future plans beyond that. Samuelsson said: “I’m pleased to welcome Jim to his new role to continue the great journey Volvo Cars is on. I would also like to extend my thanks to all Volvo Cars employees for the incredible progress we have made together in the past 10 years ; for not only making Volvo one of the fastest growing and most trusted premium automotive brands but also for always innovating and leading with purpose. I wish you all the best for the exciting years to come”. Li Shufu, Volvo chairman and founder of parent company Geely Holding Group, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Håkan Samuelsson for his commitment and determination over the past 10 years at Volvo Cars. Håkan has, together with his management team, created a renewed and strong product line, re-established Volvo as a premium brand that is well placed for the future and enabled the successful listing of Volvo Cars”. Rowan is currently boss of Ember Technologies, a manufacturer of heat-controlling kitchenware. Prior to that, he was CEO of technology giant Dyson for 3 years, specifically during the period in which the company was developing a bespoke electric car, which ultimately never made its way to market after it was deemed to be not commercially viable. Before starting at Dyson in 2012, he was chief operating officer of Blackberry. He arrives at Volvo as the Swedish company prepares to launch the landmark all-electric successor to its largest model, the XC90, in 2022, following the recent arrival of the all-electric XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge compact SUVs. It has also entered a joint venture with technology start up Northvolt to produce its own EV batteries in Sweden, has pledged to dramatically ramp up sustainability efforts across its manufacturing and supply chain operations and recently reported growth of €2.3 billion in the first 9 months of 2021. “I’m delighted to join Volvo Cars at such an exciting time for the company and at such a transformational time for both the industry and consumers”, Rowan said. “The strong track record of Volvo Cars across innovation, safety and quality, coupled with world-class talent and inspiring sustainability and technology capabilities, places it in the driver’s seat for the road ahead”. +++